As a homeowner, you can play an important
part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following
steps, you’ll help your RE/MAX Sales Associate sell your home faster, at
the best possible price.
The easiest and most reliable way to improve
the appeal of your home is to enlist a quality home service
professional. The right professional can help you get everything in
order - from repainting the kitchen to providing a thorough cleaning -
so you can stay focused on more important things
- A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed
shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly
painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn,
rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer
obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the
better.
Here’s your chance to clean up in real
estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your
woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor
redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property.
If you’re worried about time,
hire professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready.
Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks
than hear how great it could look "with a little work."
Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors
sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or
faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems
detract from what’s right with your home.
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your
home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t
try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them
away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a
closing.
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of
self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension
cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your
residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
Remember, potential buyers are looking for
more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage
space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of
unnecessary items.
The better organized a closet, the larger it
appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate
them to charity.
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine.
Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and
showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower
curtains.
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of
your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture.
Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains
and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
Turn on the excitement by turning on all your
lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the
evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
Potential buyers often feel like intruders
when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your
house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. Keep
the company present to a minimum.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not
when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting
underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at
least out of the way.
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might
kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your home, it's
time to turn down the stereo or TV.
Be friendly, but don't try to force
conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of
distraction.
No matter how humble your abode, never
apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory
comment about your home's appearance, let your experienced RE/MAX
Associate handle the situation.
Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But
RE/MAX Sales Associates know buyers - what they need and what they
want. Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier time articulating the
virtues of your home if you stay in the background.
When prospects come to view your home, don't
distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer
need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
When prospects want to talk price, terms, or
other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your RE/MAX
Sales Associate.
Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier
time selling your home if showings are scheduled through his or her
office. You'll appreciate the results!